The benefits of a simplified method for CPR training of medical professionals: A randomized controlled study

Objectives

We developed and tested a training method for basic life support incorporating defibrillator feedback during simulated cardiac arrest (CA) to determine the impact on the quality and retention of CPR skills.

Methods

298 subjects were randomized into 3 groups. All groups received a 2 h training session followed by a simulated CA test scenario, immediately after training and at 3 months. Controls used a non-feedback defibrillator during training and testing. Group 1 was trained and tested with an audiovisual feedback defibrillator. During training, Group 1 reviewed quantitative CPR data from the defibrillator. Group 2 was trained as per Group 1, but was tested using the non-feedback defibrillator. The primary outcome was difference in compression depth between groups at initial testing. Secondary outcomes included differences in rate, depth at retesting, compression fraction, and self-assessment.

Results

Groups 1 and 2 had significantly deeper compressions than the controls (35.3 ± 7.6 mm, 43.7 ± 5.8 mm, 42.2 ± 6.6 mm for controls, Groups 1 and 2, P = 0.001 for Group 1 vs. controls; P = 0.001 for Group 2 vs. controls). At three months, CPR depth was maintained in all groups but remained significantly higher in Group 1 (39.1 ± 9.9 mm, 47.0 ± 7.4 mm, 42.2 ± 8.4 mm for controls, Groups 1 and 2, P = 0.001 for Group 1 vs. control). No significant differences were noted between groups in compression rate or fraction.

Conclusions

A simplified 2 h training method using audiovisual feedback combined with quantitative review of CPR performance improved CPR quality and retention of these skills.